[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 15 (Tuesday, February 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E125-E126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            DOLLY MILLENDER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 2, 2010

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure and honor 
that I congratulate Ms. Dharathula H. ``Dolly'' Millender on a 
momentous milestone, her 90th birthday, which will be on February 4, 
2010. Dolly will be celebrating this milestone with family and friends 
on Thursday, February 4, 2010, at The Stadium Restaurant in Gary, 
Indiana. For 50 years, Dolly's complete dedication and endless 
enthusiasm put forth toward her community has allowed her the 
opportunity to enrich the lives of countless people.
  Dolly Millender was born on February 4, 1920, in Terre Haute, 
Indiana, to Dolly and Orestes Hood, and became a third generation 
Hoosier. Dolly's grandfather, Nicholas Hood, settled in Indiana after 
becoming free. From her family, Dolly learned the importance of 
community. They taught her to work unselfishly for the people of the 
community because it is ``right'' and it should not be done for any 
other ambition. It was during these early years that Dolly was taught 
to strive to make a difference in the lives of others. In 1941, Dolly 
went on to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Education with a minor 
in Music from Indiana State Teacher's College, which is now Indiana 
State University. It was during her college years that she met her late 
husband, Justyn Millender. In 1944, Dolly and Justyn were married and 
later had two children, Naomi and Justine.
  The family moved to Gary in 1950, and it was here that Dolly became a 
librarian at Pulaski Junior High, where she was fondly known as the 
``library lady.'' It was during this time that she became enthralled 
with the history of Gary and its roots. Dolly's passion for history and 
selfless devotion to her community began to take shape, and her 
lifelong career as a historian and advocate for the community of Gary 
continued to grow. In 1967, Dolly wrote and published the first of her 
five books, Yesterday in Gary, which has become a collector's item 
today. Continuing her education, in 1969, Dolly went on to graduate 
from Purdue University with a Master's degree in Educational Media. 
Dolly then began her active political career as a precinct 
committeeperson and later became the first elected Gary City 
Councilwoman-at-large. She has held many impressive political positions 
throughout her career which include: library trustee, school board 
trustee, and Chief Executive Officer of the Gary Historical and 
Cultural Society, an unpaid position she continues to hold today. 
Dolly's many friends and family members share a common respect for her 
commendable qualities. For her many years of service dedicated to 
making the community of Gary a better place, Dolly is to be commended. 
She is a role model for us all.
  Madam Speaker, Dolly Millender has always given her time and efforts 
selflessly to the community of Gary throughout her illustrious

[[Page E126]]

life. She has dedicated her time and effort to serving and inspiring 
her community and its people, and for this she is worthy of our deepest 
admiration. I respectfully ask you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in wishing Dolly a very happy 90th birthday.

                          ____________________